<\/p>\n As I ponder today’s first reading, many of you come to mind. In truth, Jesus has raised up this little apostolate because so many sheep are without shepherds today. People are hurting, confused, and reeling in many cases from all the dysfunction and chaos as a result <\/em>of the absence of good shepherds over the past fifty years. Children and grandchildren have been scattered, no longer practicing the Faith, as the Word of God has not been clearly proclaimed (it’s been read, yes, but often not proclaimed<\/em>)…<\/p>\n You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured…<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n …the moral teachings have remained mostly hidden…<\/p>\n …You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured… <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n …and the gifts of the Spirit quenched.<\/p>\n You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost. So they were scattered for the lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. (Today’s first reading)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n But how easy it is for us to point fingers only at the priesthood! What about those fathers of families, those husbands and dads who are the priests of the domestic church? How many fathers have abandoned their children and wives in pursuing careers, chasing after “boy toys”, and drinking and partying their good example away? How often have any of us, in those moments when others needed the guidance of words and example, failed to be another Christ, another “good Shepherd”?<\/p>\n Nonetheless, it does not change the fact that many, many people feel as though they have been left unsupported and abandoned by their bishops\u00a0and priests. But Jesus has never abandoned us. <\/em><\/p>\n My sheep were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high hills; my sheep were scattered over the whole earth, with no one to look after them or to search for them… I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n During the past five decades, which Pope Paul VI described as a period of “apostasy”, the Lord raised up many movements and souls who have stepped in the gap. I’m thinking of Focolare, Catholic Action, the Charismatic Renewal, and the powerful apostolates of Mother Angelica, Catholic Answers, Catherine Doherty, and Dr. Scott Hahn among others. Even Evangelical voices like Billy Graham have brought the Gospel into Catholic homes when the pulpits were falling silent in their parishes. And it is nearly impossible to measure the powerful impact that Our Lady has had through her locutions and apparitions during this time that have, in turn, raised up some very powerful and holy priests (and popes!) and countless lay apostolates. [1]<\/sup><\/a>cf. On Medjugorje<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/span>![\"mother-of-priests\"](\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/mother-of-priests-1.jpg\")
Our Lady of Grace and the Masters of the Order of Montesa
\n<\/em>Spanish School (15th century)<\/span><\/p>\n
\nI AM <\/strong>so blessed, in many ways, by the present mission Jesus has given me in writing you. One day, over tens years ago, the Lord nudged my heart saying, “Put your thoughts from your journal online.” <\/em>And so I did… and now there are tens of thousands of you reading these words from all over the world. How mysterious are God’s ways! But not only that…\u00a0as a result, I have been able to read your <\/em>words in countless letters, emails, and notes. I hold every letter I get as precious, and feel very sad that I haven’t been able to respond to all of you. But every letter is read; every word is noted; every intention is lifted up daily in prayer.<\/p>\n\n
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